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Hurricane Patricia weakens after hitting Mexico

The powerful hurricane Patricia that slammed into Mexico's western coast has been downgraded and is not expected to have caused as much damaged as feared. Julie Noce reports.

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Hurricane Patricia pummelled Mexico's western coast on Friday evening ripping down trees and forcing thousands to evacuate. The Category 5 hurricane weakened after making landfall, but still packed winds of up to 130 miles per hour. The storm hit a strip of beach near the popular resort getaway Puerto Vallarta where some 15,000 tourists were evacuated. Most seemed to take it in stride. I had an incredible week, one person said. I didn't expect this on the last day, but well.. Despite the storms downgrade, President Enrique Pena Nieto urged citizens not to let down their guard. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO, SAYING "...we expect intense rains in the Pacific and in various states in the central and northeastern parts of the country. I ask the Mexican people to be watchful over the coming hours for information from government officials about Hurricane Patricia. Again, I recognize all Mexicans because united, we can face this challenge." There were no reported casualties, and officials say the damage might not be as catastrophic as feared. Before reaching land, Patricia was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.

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